Re: Aesculapian Snakes...

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Posted by Phil on February 06, 2000 at 21:58:34:

In Reply to: Re: Aesculapian Snakes... posted by tmc on February 06, 2000 at 07:37:11:

While I fully agree with you that many asian species should probably belong in distinct genuses from their current Elaphe status, I must say don't understand why you would place longissima in a different genus also. As far I can observe, they seem to fit the bill easily. While this remark is not based on any meristic measuments or other on my part, I just think that they share most morphological and behavioral characters that other Elaphe do.

Now I've had the pleasure of observing some "Elaphe" radiata for a little while now, and I am quite convinved that those are definately not Elaphe. The head is very different, much more racer-like with big eyes and slender heads, with very uneven labial scales. And the behavior is something quite un-elaphe! They are lithning fast dashers, puff their necks up like crazy and "S" up their necks in defensive stances. No other true ratsnake does that! I would also put helena, eruthrura, and flavolineata in the same group, since their body patterns or head characteristics are all quite similar.

Anyone care to put in their two cents on this matter? The current classifications of asian Elaphe is obviously in dire need of taxonomic revisions, so feel free to chip in guys!

Phil

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: While I fully agree with you that many asian species should probably belong in distinct genuses from their current Elaphe status, I must say don't understand why you would place longissima in a different genus also. As far I can observe, they seem to fit the bill easily. While this remark is not based on any meristic measuments or other on my part, I just think that they share most morphological and behavioral characters that other Elaphe do. : Now I've had the pleasure of observing some "Elaphe" radiata for a little while now, and I am quite convinved that those are definately not Elaphe. The head is very different, much more racer-like with big eyes and slender heads, with very uneven labial scales. And the behavior is something quite un-elaphe! They are lithning fast dashers, puff their necks up like crazy and "S" up their necks in defensive stances. No other true ratsnake does that! I would also put helena, eruthrura, and flavolineata in the same group, since their body patterns or head characteristics are all quite similar. : Anyone care to put in their two cents on this matter? The current classifications of asian Elaphe is obviously in dire need of taxonomic revisions, so feel free to chip in guys! : Phil

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